Southgate urges Villa boss Lambert to keep a cool head

Former Aston Villa defender Gareth Southgate has told manager Paul Lambert to stay positive as they battle to beat the drop.

Former Aston Villa defender Gareth Southgate has told manager Paul Lambert to stay positive as they battle to beat the drop.

Southgate understands the tricky task on Lambertâ€™s hands, having managed Middlesbrough when they were relegated in 2009, but he believes that if the Villa boss gets it right on the training field, they will avoid relegation.

â€śIâ€™ve been in a similar situation and Iâ€™ve also been in the situation where Iâ€™ve got a very young side,â€ť said Southgate. â€śYouâ€™ve got to give those young players belief and you have to keep lifting people every week.

â€śItâ€™s not too often where there are people around to lift you, so Iâ€™m sure Paul is going through a very tough period, but one that is a great learning experience.

â€śHe has had a couple of years at Norwich at the other end of the table that have been fantastic, but you learn more about things and yourself in times like this, which make you stronger for the future.